The Sunday News
Dumisani Nsingo, Senior Farming Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Agricultural Society (ZAS) in conjunction with the Boers Association of Zimbabwe and the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services will next month hold a Goat Production in Zimbabwe discussion.
ZAS head of programmes and public affairs Miss Roberta Katunga said the symposium would be held at the Exhibition Park’s Andy Millar Hall on 6 October under the ZAS Leadership for Enhanced Agricultural Development Series (Leads).
Leads discussions have over the years consolidated and solidified ZAS and its various valued stakeholders as leading facilitators of agricultural development that ultimately impacts positively on rural livelihoods.
“The discussion will reappraise the communal and commercial production and productivity models and trends, from village to national level.
Understand the various goat breeds and assess their technical, breeding, pasture and production aspects and highlight the current challenges and opportunities for technical, extension and advisory, and policy issues to accelerate goat production,” said Miss Katunga.
The symposium is expected to enlighten participants on various existing goat markets locally, regionally and internationally.
“Enhanced opportunities for local and regional and international trade will be unravelled while discussions centred on understanding informal and formal markets and market requirements and assessing strategies for production and supply requirements will be carried out,” said Miss Katunga.
Apart from providing nutritious and easily digestible milk, goats are also a regular source of additional income for poor or marginal farmers. Goats are also tolerant to drought and could assist communities’ resistance to socio-economic shocks.
“Zimbabwe’s agricultural production has recently received additional attention by Government and the private sector. This has been an impetus for accelerated economic growth as agricultural linkages with industry are very strong.
“The livestock sector too is receiving much needed attention, and small livestock, such as goats, will increasingly become important for nutrition and food security as Zimbabwe is predicted to become drier in the decades ahead due to climate change,” said Miss Katunga.
Participants at the goat production discussion are expected to come up with comprehensive value-chain recommendations.
“A structured consensus and value-chain-based enhanced goat production and improved productivity policy and implementation framework, with clearly identified roles, obligations and responsibilities for various stakeholders and actors on important nodes of the chain is expected to emerge from the discussion. Additionally, markets, standards, supply issues and strong networking will be established while opportunities for establishing strong value chains and networks will be availed,” said Miss Katunga.
The symposium is expected to attract a wide cross section of attendance and active participation from policymakers, various Government department officials, farmers unions, abattoirs, wholesalers, retailers, finance houses, non-governmental organisations and researchers. -@DNsingo
